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Homebuyers flock to the Isle of Wight

Our correspondent takes a ferry across the Solent to discover the attraction of Queen Victoria’s favourite holiday isle

Lucy Denyer

August 17 2008, 1:00am, The Sunday Times

Frazer and Helen Cunningham always had a fantasy: to build their own holiday home on the Isle of Wight. Their dream came true when, in 2000, they bought a small plot of land in Ventnor, where, with the help of Frazer's architect brother, they built a two-bedroom house for £70,000.

Three years ago, the Cunninghams decided to really take the plunge, swapping life in Dulwich, south London, for full-time island living. They reside with their daughter, Faber, 16, in the cottage and run a business renting out vintage Airstream caravans, using one for photo shoots. (Frazer is a photographer and Helen is a fashion stylist.)

"I loved London, and it was quite an adventure to move, but we love it here, too," says Helen, 46.…